MEN and women are being urged to get checked for early signs of bowel cancer.

The County Durham Wellbeing for Life service is working with GP surgeries and community venues to promote screening.

Anyone concerned about potential symptoms, changes to their body or a family history of the disease is urged to take a home test.

Vicki Moffat, wellbeing coordinator, said: “The bowel cancer screening kit is a home test kit and checks for the presence of blood in a poo sample.

“It has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer by 16 per cent.

“You carry out the test in the privacy of your own home and a full set of instructions come with the kit.

“It may sound a bit unpleasant to do, but it could save your life.”

One in 14 men and one in 19 women will be diagnosed with bowel cancer during their lifetime but finding it early makes it easier to treat successfully.

The NHS invites people aged 60 to 74, who are registered with a doctor, for screening every two years.

Older people can call 0800-7076060 and those younger than 60 are not eligible for the bowel cancer screening test but can seek bowel scope screening.

For details call 0191-5274150.